circle hooks for halibut?

[Fishwater]

ok, i saw a show on fishing in alaska and they were using them, i remember how they baited it, but not how they tied it up, they were also running 2 hooks and getting halibut doubles!! i usually run a dropper loop a bit up from da lead with regular hook because this rig never tangle's. will this work with a circle hook?? i guess you need to let them take it for a little longer also? any comments are appreciated, (as long as it isn't disinformation!)

[three rocks]

i fish a 16/0 circle hook off of a 12" 140# rubber coated steel leader, to a spreader bar with a water activated led lite with anywere from 2 to 3 #'s of lead. let em take it and then just start reeling on em. i also use a glow in the dark bead just above the hook. works like a charm!!!

[three rocks]

im new on this site... can anyone tell me how to start a new topic????

[wthr4d]

fishwater- go to the top of the salty dog page look in tech tips and see teh no excuse halibut rig...it works wonders for me and never tangles, you can use singles or doubles on it and either circle or J hooks as your preference.


Paul

[skein]

Three Rocks,

Go to the main Salty Dog screen, where all the threads are listed, and click on "Post." Put your title in the title field, then click in the message field and type in what ever it is you want to say.

Then click on "Continue", preview it for typos etc, and then click "Ok Submit".

Skein

[three rocks]

thanks skein!!!

[Threemuch]

I tried the super mutu 12/0 owners this year, absolutely deadly, not one bite did not result in a fish, with herring, salmon bellys and shad. Three bucks a hook but deadly.

[D-tangle]

Got my hali with 12/0 circle, but my kid likes the double -j hooks set-up. The only suggestion I have is to use the 16/0 size circle. I lost a huge butt after 15 minutes of line screaming out and an ensuing chase. Reeled in my bait-it was still intact with only two lacerations across the herring's body. The hook wasn't big enough to go around the jawbone and just slid out of his mouth, I guess. Just let 'em eat it and swim away, then slowly tighten the line.

[ron m]

Also if you tie your own rigs using circle hooks, find the post Halibutsteve did on circle hooks, it may have been in a reply he gave to a previous post. he works doing fishery research, including research on halibut and circle hooks. He posted some great info. Nothing like data to back up what someone suggests we do.
ron m

[Salty Walty]

Call me old fashioned or stuck in the past. I like to feel the bite, give them a little line, feel the weight and then cross their eyes. 2 9/0 J hooks, B2 Squid and a big herring for me please.

[KillerBeee]

As I have followed the teachings of my mentors, I have been using Gamakatsu 13/0 Big river hooks. Super sharp and gets them real good. The rig is a 3 way swivel, 2ft dropper to a 2-3 lb weight or large Norwegian jig(35oz), and a 20inch leader to the hook. Dropper and leader tied on tuna cord. It has great abrasion resistance and a single rig can last all day. I also use the 8in. Berkley power grub in white on the hook, sometimes tipped with herring or octopus.
Beeeeeee

[Deepslayer]

I like the 16 - 20 circle hooks weighted with railroad spikes on a separate 6# line. Hang it a few feet off the bottom and let the But hook himself. When he is hooked just start reeling him in. Usually the railroad spikes break off and you are not fighting their weight too.

[alaskan]

When I'm lazy, I use circle hooks. Just set the rod in the holder, loosen the drag and sit ad wait for the line to start rolling out. Tighten the drag and start reeling them in.
But I really like to use a jig with a "J" hook. I've caught more big halibut on the jig than I ever did with bait. A big B2, filled with my secret scent, is deadly on halibut and lings.